MANILA, Philippines - To climax its 25th season, Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) promises to delight audiences of all ages on Nov. 19 and 20 with The Nutcracker at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. PBT artistic director Ron Jaynario restages this classic as choreographed by Gelsey Kirkland.
A doll-maker, Mr. Drosselmeyer brings toys to the household of two children, Clara and Fritz and many of his creations become animated, like the nutcracker he gave Clara. Lifelike Gingerbread men, tin soldiers, dolls, mice and other combatants, snowflakes and flowers add much excitement to the story being told on stage.
The ballet also features dancing snowflakes, which pull on everyone’s desires of a perfect white Christmas. As the story progresses deeper and deeper into a child’s fantasy, the creation of magical characters comes to life introducing the fairytale tradition of good versus evil with the Nutcracker Prince fighting the Mouse King and touching the imaginations of both adults and children. The idea of toys coming alive is every child’s dream. The Nutcracker story entertains this dream and follows the Christmas traditions of magic and wonder.
PBT will offer four performances of The Nutcracker at the CCP Main Theater — Nov 19 at 11 a.m., gala night at 6 p.m., Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets are available at the PBT Office, Backstage Meralco Theater, Ortigas Avenue or at the CCP Box Office.
To order advance tickets, or for more information regarding performances, call 632-8848. Group ticket sales are also available.